Fish Consumption Day coming to Omaheke

23 Aug 2013 04:10

GOBABIS, 23 AUG (NAMPA)  The Omaheke Region has been chosen as host of the annual National Fish Consumption Day, which aims to promote the consumption of fish in the country.
The day was initiated by the National Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (NFCPT) to encourage Namibians to eat fish as a healthier alternative to red meat, which is said to have a high cholesterol count.
This years National Fish Consumption Day will be hosted on 14 September 2013.
Adelheid Kaukuetu, who manages the NFCPT Fish Shop in Gobabis, told Nampa on Friday that various fishing companies have been invited to display various fish cuisine in a quest to educate the public in the ways of preparing fish.
Members of the public are also welcome to display their fish dishes on the day, provided that their menus comprise sorely fish, as red meat dishes will not be allowed.
We are focusing on how best to prepare fish, while promoting its consumption across the country. As such, we will not entertain dishes that have red meat as core component, Kaukuetu stated.
The event will be preceded by a gala dinner on 13 September, which aims to raise funds for the NFCPT.
Despite its love for red meat, the Omaheke Region has reportedly been warming up to fish as a healthier alternative to red meat.
A large number of customers who frequent the fish shop in Gobabis have, however, expressed concern that they do not know how best to prepare or cook fish, hence the hosting of the National Fish Consumption Day.
Kaukuetu noted that a large number of her customer base is small fast-food business owners, who buy fish to resell it in their shops, although individual customers also frequent the shop.
The ribbon snoek appears to be the best-selling stock in the region, followed by horse mackerel.
Other stock available in the shop includes hake fillets, silver angel and the equally popular Jacopever. The NFCPT was established in March 2001 as per Cabinet resolution.
Namibia boasts 20 fish species which are commercially exploited, and eight species which are regulated through Total Allowable Catches (TACs).
A study conducted by leading researchers on global fish consumption trends, however, revealed that only five per cent of the Namibian fish caught in these waters are locally-consumed.
(NAMPA)
CT/TK